Yamaha Unveils 2026 MotoGP Livery for Historic V4 Era

The factory Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team has officially unveiled its livery for the 2026 MotoGP season, marking a historic milestone as the Japanese manufacturer prepares to race a V4-powered bike for the first time in the modern era.

Yamaha confirmed two years ago that it had begun work on a V4 project aimed at replacing its long-standing inline-four engine configuration. That architecture had defined Yamaha’s identity throughout the four-stroke MotoGP era, making the 2026 transition one of the most significant technical shifts in the brand’s premier-class history.

The V4 prototype made its competitive debut last season through a wildcard entry ridden by Augusto Fernandez at Misano, where it scored a championship point. Further wildcard appearances followed at Sepang and Valencia later in the year, allowing Yamaha to gather crucial real-world data.

Following those evaluations, Yamaha confirmed in Valencia that it would fully commit to the V4 project for 2026. This decision means Yamaha will line up on the MotoGP grid next season with a non-inline-four engine for the first time in the modern MotoGP era.

The factory team officially launched its 2026 campaign on Wednesday in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins present. During the event, Yamaha revealed a subtly revised livery applied to its new M1 V4, retaining familiar visual elements while clearly signalling the start of a new technical chapter.

Yamaha will field an unchanged rider line-up for the 2026 season. Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, and Rins both enter the final year of their current contracts as the manufacturer embarks on its V4 transition.

Quartararo concluded the 2025 season ninth in the riders’ standings, delivering Yamaha’s first grand prix podium in two years with a third-place finish at Jerez. He also secured five pole positions and was a contender for victory at Silverstone before being forced to retire from the lead due to a ride-height device failure.

The Frenchman ended the year with 201 points. Rins, meanwhile, endured a more difficult campaign, finishing 19th overall with 68 points, his best result a seventh-place finish at Phillip Island.

Despite the significance of the V4 project, Yamaha has deliberately tempered expectations for the opening phase of the 2026 season. The manufacturer has acknowledged that the new engine and chassis package remains under development and is unlikely to deliver immediate race-winning performance.

However, Yamaha enters 2026 as the only manufacturer placed in concession rank D. That status grants the brand significant technical freedom, including unrestricted in-season engine development and expanded testing opportunities with its race riders—advantages Yamaha intends to use to accelerate progress with the V4 package.

The Jakarta launch underlined both the scale of Yamaha’s technical reset and the long-term nature of the project. While short-term results remain uncertain, the 2026 season represents a foundational year as Yamaha works to rebuild competitiveness ahead of the next regulatory cycle.